Daming 1805

The two battleships and four cruisers parked at the Xintianfu Wharf were visited intermittently by the managers, officers, soldiers, workers, and common people of Huangzhuang for eight days.

After the maintenance of the battleship was completed, Zhu Jingyuan took Charles and Charlotte, as well as representatives of Britain and France, to visit.

For both Charles and Charlotte, it was mainly natural novelty and anticipation.

Diplomatic and political personnel such as Grenville, Monroe, and Talleyrand are directly in a working state.

When the car was approaching the pier, they stretched their necks from time to time, looking out through the window.

When the car entered the dock area and arrived at the docking area of ​​the warship, they were more focused and had nothing else to do.

As the distance rapidly increased, the silhouette of the huge battleship that appeared above the pier also gave them a big shock.

"My God, these two ships are really too big..."

"The length of this hull... I estimated it, it may be [-]% longer than the [-]-ton Dreadful class!"

"Even compared to the prestige class of the test ship with full-caliber main guns, it has grown by at least [-]%!"

"The length has increased so much, how terrifying will the tonnage be?"

"At least [-] tons, or even [-] tons..."

"There are still two such huge warships here, which means that they are already mass-produced models..."

"Why is this happening? How did Ming Dynasty build such a huge warship!"

"This is completely unreasonable!"

"Your Excellency Nelson intends to use quality over quantity, so he planned a battleship with a displacement of [-] tons.

"Now it seems that even if this kind of super battleship is built, it can only be regarded as a secondary battleship..."

Britain and France, especially the British, including American officials, were surprised by the two ships.

They were still immersed in astonishment and disbelief when the car came to a stop under the battleship.

Their tonnage estimates exceeded the actual tonnage of the battleships, as they were based on traditional battleship hulls.

The ratio of the length to width of the traditional battleship hull is smaller, and the overall battleship will be fatter.

The ratio of length to width of Zhu Jingyuan's cutting-edge battleship has been enlarged, and the hull as a whole is more slender.

If the warships of the two shapes are the same length, the traditional warship must be wider and the tonnage must be larger than the cutting-edge warship.

The diplomats of Britain and France simply looked at the length of the warship from the side, but could not directly see the width.

Estimate the tonnage of cutting-edge battleships according to the line shape of traditional battleships, so they come to the terrifying conclusion that there may be [-] tons.

Everyone's initial impression of these two ships was that they were extraordinarily huge.

They didn't realize another situation until they got under the battleship and were about to board the ship.

The shape of these two ships is also completely different from traditional battleships.

Charles followed Zhu Jingyuan, looked up at the main gun on the huge hull, and said quite unexpectedly:
"It's all... triple-mounted main guns..."

Zhu Jingyuan said of course:

"Yes, in order to increase the density of firepower and reduce the length of the hull occupied by the main guns, triple main guns are used.

"With three triple turrets, there are already nine large-caliber artillery pieces.

"If it is a double-mounted turret, there are only eight guns in four turrets, but the weight of the turret may exceed three triple-mounted."

Charles has a basic understanding of the navy:
"That should be more difficult. Can we do it in France?"

Zhu Jingyuan said quite directly:
"You can explore accordingly, but for your new battleship design, it is recommended to continue to use dual-mounted turrets."

Charlton was a little disappointed at the moment, but he immediately felt that this was a natural situation.

At the same time, Talleyrand, the foreign minister, could see even more.

"This warship with a displacement of at least [-] tons is only equipped with three turrets.

"The triple turrets are specially designed to reduce the number of turrets and the occupied volume.

"The more tonnage and space of the hull must be used for defense and speed.

"Then the armor defense level and speed of this ship must far exceed the traditional battleship."

Given a certain level of technology, the design of a capital ship requires a trade-off between attack, defense, and speed.

A 360-ton ship has nine [-]mm main guns, which obviously cannot be the option to maximize firepower.

So it definitely strengthens the other two.

Talleyrand is testing Zhu Jingyuan, hoping to get more key information.

Grenville, Monroe, Jefferson and other British representatives, upon hearing Talleyrand's words, cheered up and looked at Zhu Jingyuan.

Of course Zhu Jingyuan wouldn't answer directly, but just said with a noncommittal smile:
"We have worked hard to find a balance point as reasonable as possible between firepower, armor, and speed."

Saying this is tantamount to not saying it.

The so-called "balance" is very subjective, and different people have different understandings of balance.

The balance understood by Zhu Jingyuan, who has the experience of later generations, is actually very extreme in the eyes of people of this era.

People in this era could never have imagined that Zhu Jingyuan would directly increase the speed to thirty knots.

Zhu Jingyuan felt that the speed of [-] knots was already a balanced result.

If the speed is extremely enhanced, it should be pulled to more than 32 knots, so that the capital ship can chase the cruiser.

The masterpieces are "Super Cruiser" Iowa and "Large Cruiser" Alaska.

At the same time, even in the armor itself, Zhu Jingyuan's balance is different from others.

Zhu Jingyuan wanted to divide the armor into two parts: the side vertical main armor and the deck horizontal armor.

In Zhu Jingyuan's eyes, the latter is actually more important.

The weight of horizontal armor of Intrepid and Invincible exceeds the weight of vertical armor.

Now that Talleyrand, Grenville, and Monroe heard these words, their inner analysis and judgment were far from Zhu Jingyuan's.

They imagined the appearance of a ship of less than thirty knots, and they had no concept of horizontal armor of more than one hundred millimeters.

"The speed may exceed 23 knots, and may even reach 25 knots. Your Excellency Nelson's ideal warship speed is around 25 knots..."

"The thickness of the main armor should be piled up to 360mm. Even our capital ship uses a 360mm main gun, and it may still not be able to penetrate it at a distance of ten kilometers..."

"According to our country's technical level, it is certainly impossible to obtain the same level of indicators under similar tonnages, and we can only continue to give up one or two."

"Even if the speed is extremely enhanced, it is difficult to exceed 25 knots, and it is even more impossible to form a speed advantage over 25 knots.

"Strengthening armor and firepower is the best choice..."

Differences in cognition and judgment will directly lead to differences in combat thinking.

Their strategies and tactics against the "balanced" warships they made up in their minds may not have any effect when faced with the actual balanced warships, and may even have the opposite effect.

Under the guidance of the naval etiquette officer on board, Zhu Jingyuan boarded the warship with the representatives of Britain and France.

After arriving on the deck, the court representatives of Britain and France subconsciously observed and estimated the width of the deck.

They quickly judged that the ship was narrower than expected.

The aspect ratio must be more than seven!

The aspect ratio of traditional battleships is usually in the range of a few points to six, and may even be less than six.

Usually only cruisers pursuing high speeds have such a large aspect ratio.

Therefore, they all took it for granted that the speed of the ship should be 25 knots.

At the same time, the tonnage of the battleships has been corrected, and it has been placed in the early [-] tons, which is very close to the real tonnage.

After estimating the width, aspect ratio, and tonnage, they began to observe the facilities on the deck.

Again, they found a difference from traditional warships.

Secondary battery.

The secondary guns of this ship have all been turreted.

Only the forty-millimeter gun remains an open structure.

Except for the 160mm secondary gun, it can be seen that there is a very large range of elevation angles.

In order to deal with possible air threats, the high-speed capital ship designed by Zhu Jingyuan has a large number of anti-aircraft guns from the beginning.

Except for the 160mm secondary gun, other small and medium-caliber artillery are actually anti-aircraft guns.

The number of anti-aircraft guns far exceeds that of normal warships when the dreadnought was just formed.

Even more than most warships designed and built during the interwar period.

However, since the air defense command system is still being explored and upgraded, there is still a big gap in the air defense capabilities of British and American warships in the World War II era.

The number of anti-aircraft guns is still not stacked to the limit.

But the current state of small and medium-caliber artillery is enough for the current representatives of Britain and France to discover the anomaly.

The little girl Charlotte saw the difference, and said in surprise:
"A lot of small and medium artillery..."

Hearing the exclamation, Zhu Jingyuan intentionally smiled and misleadingly said:
"The tonnage of the hull is large enough, and there is enough space to install enough artillery.

"The number of auxiliary guns on this ship has already exceeded the number of a [-]-ton cruiser.

"The firepower is equivalent to a capital ship with a cruiser, and may have to add two destroyers."

Zhu Jingyuan felt that these people should not be able to imagine for the time being what the concept of aircraft swarm attack in the World War II era was.

It is impossible to imagine how much pressure there will be on naval air defense operations in naval battles in the future.

Zhu Jingyuan subconsciously tried to mislead them, asking if they could use the secondary artillery as the pure secondary artillery.

While talking, Zhu Jingyuan led them forward and came to the front deck of the battleship under the main gun.

Grenville looked up at the cannon on the turret, and made a little estimate of the cannon's body-to-tube ratio:

"The caliber of the gun should be 360 ​​millimeters, and the length of the barrel must be more than 45 times the caliber.

"It may have reached fifty times the diameter..."

Several other people also nodded, and they all came to similar conclusions.

After hearing this, Zhu Jingyuan also directly gave a definite response:
"It's a 360mm main gun with fifty times the caliber. You guys have a lot of experience..."

Several diplomats got accurate data, but their expressions became a little ugly.

The body-to-tube ratio of a cannon, also known as the multiple diameter, is a parameter that directly reflects the level of the cannon's manufacturing process.

The larger the multiple diameter, the farther the shooting range, the more accurate the landing point, and the more difficult it is to manufacture.

The original traditional battleships used 45mm caliber artillery. At the beginning of the World War, Ming used [-] times the caliber, and the main naval countries of Thailand and the West basically used [-] times the caliber.

By the end of the World War, they had basically caught up with Daming in terms of double diameter.

In fact, the reason is that Daming did not continue to update the [-]mm caliber artillery.

At that time, the research focus had shifted to the 360 ​​mm caliber.

Fifty times the diameter has been achieved on the 360 ​​mm caliber.

The follow-up 420mm artillery was also directly developed on the basis of fifty times the diameter.

At present, the major naval countries of Europe and the West can basically produce 360mm artillery.

But the multiple diameters are not very good-looking, and 45 times the diameter is a bit difficult, let alone [-] times the diameter.

The most important thing is that during He Tan, Zhu Jingyuan showed off Daming's new shells.

A gun with a caliber of 45 mm and a caliber of [-] times can penetrate the armor of an existing battleship at a distance of twelve kilometers.

Now the caliber has been upgraded to 360 mm, and the multiple diameter has been increased to fifty.

How many millimeters of armor can it penetrate at a distance of twelve kilometers?

My own new battleship, if it is standard to defend against this kind of artillery, how thick is the armor...

Diplomatic and political figures such as Grenville, Monroe, and Talleyrand followed Zhu Jingyuan to see Ming's new warships, originally for the purpose of inquiring and confirming information.

Originally, I had certain expectations in my heart that Daming's new warship should have a lot of advantages.

But none of them imagined that the specifications of these new warships would be so exaggerated.

With a volume of 25 tons, a speed of 360 knots, 360mm armor, and a [-]mm main gun.

Daming's battleship can indeed be designed in this way, and this design scheme is obviously more "balanced".

But Zhu Jingyuan reduced the thickness of the armor to [-] millimeters and increased the speed to [-] knots.

Now the parameters they have made up in their brains are monsters in their eyes.

A monster that crushes existing battleships in all aspects.

What is even more painful is that even if they spend enough funds to build warships of the same [-] tons, they cannot build warships of this level due to the gap in technology.

Perhaps only with a tonnage of [-] tons or even larger, can this [-]-ton warship be suppressed.

In their view, the construction cost of a [-]-ton warship is unacceptably high.

If warships were [-] tons or larger, they would not be able to build a few of them with the power of the whole country.

The problem is, Daming should be able to build bigger and more ships.

There are now two such [-]-ton all-round warships on the scene.

This means mass production...

It was not easy for Talleyrand, Grenville, Monroe and others to confirm the news.

But Charles had few worries.

When I was walking around with Zhu Jingyuan, I thought of this question, so I asked it directly:
"My dear friend, how many super warships of this level does Ming intend to build?"

Grenville, Talleyrand, Monroe, Jefferson and others immediately pricked up their ears and listened.

Zhu Jingyuan did not hide it from them, and directly stated the general construction plan:
"There are currently eight warships of this tonnage in the dock, and construction will start on at least four ships each year.

"Gradually replace all capital ships and armored cruisers.

"At least 32 ships will be built in one go, and then the number will continue to increase according to the situation."

What Zhu Jingyuan said was "a battleship of this tonnage", not "a battleship of this kind".

Zhu Jingyuan put together the number of [-]-ton battleships and aircraft carriers.

This is of course not a lie. The actual role of a [-]-ton aircraft carrier is actually stronger than a [-]-ton battleship.

The reason why Zhu Jingyuan is saying this is because the shipbuilding plan is also a part of deterrence.

In the eyes of grassroots officers, only shells that can be fired directly are useful.

In the eyes of admirals, only warships that can attack at any time are useful.

In the eyes of diplomats, the warships in the dock are useful.

In the eyes of politicians, the planned warships are also useful.

When Zhu Jingyuan said this, Charles immediately opened his mouth wide.

Talleyrand, Grenville, Monroe and others froze.

Replace all the old battleships and armored cruisers with battleships of this level.

This kind of monster ship has built more than 30 ships in one go, directly and completely subverting their cognition again.

The most frightening thing was that after they made a rough calculation in their minds, they discovered that Daming really had the ability to do this.

32 ships is definitely not the current limit of Ming Dynasty.

If Daming completely liberalizes its financial and industrial capabilities, there will not be too much pressure to double this number again.

Daming can definitely afford 64 battleships.

At the same time, even if the entire Pacific and Western continents were merged into one, they would not be able to support more than 60 warships of the same level.

If calculated according to the national power before the World War, countries such as Britain, France and Spain may be able to raise a dozen ships, Prussia and Lucia may be able to raise seven or eight ships, and other countries may raise three or four ships.

After the end of the World War, the colonies of Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands shrank significantly, and it was impossible to recover their fiscal revenue.

Lucia and Ottoman were also directly dismembered, and Austria, Italy, and Prussia also suffered losses.

Now two-thirds of the world's land has fallen into Daming's hands.

All Western countries accounted for the remaining third.

The Thai and Western countries have to work together and use militarism to keep pace with Ming in terms of naval size.

The point is, even if the scale is neck and neck, there will still be a gap in quality.

All in all, utter despair.

On the contrary, the two future kings, Charles and Charlotte, did not feel any pressure or discomfort on this matter.

The two of them instinctively stood by Zhu Jingyuan's side.

They just felt shocked by Daming's strength, and they didn't feel threatened anymore.

You might even feel honored.

Charles subconsciously grabbed Zhu Jingyuan's arm:
"Build 32 ships directly! Does Ming Dynasty need so many super warships!"

Zhu Jingyuan looked at Talleyrand, Monroe, Jefferson, Grenville and others with a smile:
"Of course it is needed. I currently have a preliminary plan, which can be called the principle of reciprocity.

"As many battleships as Taixi builds in total, Daming will also build as many battleships.

"Let the number of capital ships of Ming Dynasty be balanced with the total number of capital ships of the ten countries of Thailand and the West."

Charlton didn't know what to say:

"Is... is it so right to be equal?"

Talleyrand and others were completely speechless.

Nothing to comment.

Historically, the world's strongest navy before World War I, the British Royal Navy followed the "two-power principle".

As the world's number one navy, the size of the navy is larger than that of the second and third behind combined.

Now Daming's principle of reciprocity takes it a step further.

More than all the navies combined.

The U.S. Navy after World War II was about the same size.

This is not a difficult task for the current Daming.

Zhu Jingyuan took the representatives of Britain and France around the deck, and then walked into the cabin.

After visiting the main cabin, we came to the officer's dining room inside the battleship.

Today everyone participated in a simple lunch directly on the boat.

Zhu Jingyuan sat on the main seat, and the two members of the royal family, Charles and Charlotte, sat on the left and right sides.

The atmosphere at the scene seemed quite happy, and the officers on board were all very happy.

The representatives of Britain and France could only laugh along with their forced faces.

Charles was really happy. After drinking a few glasses of wine, he looked around with emotion:

"My dear friend, I remember you said that this fleet escorted me back to France.

"The nobles and wealthy businessmen in the country will definitely be very shocked.

"After seeing these warships, they should no longer have the idea of ​​making an enemy of Da Ming."

Zhu Jingyuan took a sip of wine on his own:
"Yes, this should be beneficial to your plan, you can take the French nobles on board to visit.

"Keep the people you're dealing with away from their lairs and away from their main guards.

"On the way back after visiting the battleship, it's a good time to do it."

Upon hearing Zhu Jingyuan's suggestion, Charles immediately nodded very seriously:

"Thank you for the suggestion, my dear friend, I think this is a good plan, and I will arrange it like this.

"Then, my best friend, can you accompany me back?"

Zhu Jingyuan shook his head directly:

"My answer is no, my grandfather does not allow me to leave Daming's range.

"You should be able to understand that I actually offended a lot of people, especially the Thais.

"There should be a lot of people who want to get rid of me quickly.

"If there is a chance, even at the risk of death or even triggering a war, I will find a way to do it to me.

"Rather, if there is an opportunity to start a war, they may be willing to do it.

"Looking at it the other way around, Daming doesn't have any malice towards you, so you are even safer here than in Paris.

"You should also pay attention to yourself, after the implementation of this plan, many people's attitudes towards you will also change.

"Be sure to bring guards with you at all times after you go back, and minimize direct contact with large-scale crowds as much as possible.

"If you are free in the future, you can also come to my place for vacation..."

Charles is a bit regretful, but he also understands what Zhu Jingyuan said:
"Thank you dear friend for reminding me, I will pay attention to it, I will come back to see you when I have time..."

Zhu Jingyuan and Charles were chatting here, and Charlotte next to him was a little anxious:

"His Royal Highness, I also want to come to Xintianfu again. I will spend the winter here again next winter and see you again..."

After hearing this, Zhu Jingyuan smiled and asked back:

"I may not be in Xintianfu tomorrow winter, do you want to come to Xintianfu for the winter?"

Charlotte was taken aback:
"Ah...why...where are you going?"

Zhu Jingyuan was noncommittal:
"You should all know about the administrative training of the prince and grandson of the Ming Dynasty.

"I'm doing administrative training right now, just a little bit special.

"So at two years, I had to move.

"I'll let you know when I go to a new place."

Charles and Charlotte immediately agreed:

"You must inform me."

"Don't forget."

Today is still a chapter of [-] words. I asked in the author group. It seems that the mode of one chapter per day is very popular now. Readers just wait for an update every day. Authors also have the opportunity to increase the number of average subscriptions. Let me see if I can rush a boutique...